Wednesday, 30 November 2016

October's Just for Fun classes were inspired by demo Dena Plummer Rekow. I loved her beautiful projects and was eager to share them with my ladies.Whilst my first card is remarkably similar to hers, I want to say straight off that hers is way prettier! However, I'm not displeased with mine!

Originally, I hadn't been overly fussed with our Cucumber Crush ink but it pairs so well with Watermelon Wonder.

The stamp set used is Vintage Leaves, a set which I've had some time but only played with on a couple of occasions.

The other three cards are a little different...

The one above had a little 'Wink of Stella' clear added to the veins on the leaves

As you can see, this is full of deep colours including those seen during autumn. The ribbon is now retired but another could easily be substituted.

This last card is quite soft and gentle in shade compared to the previous one. The centre sentiment has been masked with a circle and the leaves stamped around the edge, giving a pretty frame. Lifted with a few frost sequins.

My ladies really enjoyed this technique.

The stamps and other supplies are all available from my online shop. To view the stamps online, click on the image below -

Sunday, 27 November 2016

Today I'll share the rest of the WOW! swaps from Onstage Telford.I always find it so exciting to see what the ladies have come up with.The first project, a hanging Christmas plaque, comes beautifully packaged and is from Cary Buckham.

This project is from Rebecca Willmore, not only has she decorated the packaging and coasters inside, but also the reverse of each coaster. A very useful, pretty WOW!

Kim Fee's WOW! is a sliding cracker which makes a great small gift box

Tuesday, 22 November 2016

I opted into doing a WOW! swap in Telford. The swap has to be bit more than a regular flat card. As you saw, I made little UPS vans as my swap, recap in case you missed it...

The bullion inside was gold covered chocolate coins. It seems to have been well received.

Today I'd like to share some of the WOW swaps I received in return. I will enjoy doing this as I've not yet unpacked and taken a proper look myself, looking forward to it!

The first I'd like to share with you is from Fiona Whitten.

Made using the Sweet Home stamp set and Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies but in a new way. I've seen some fab little houses made but this framed picture is really so cute and one of the nicest projects I've seen using the set. Not overly fussy, just a very smart gift. Oh yes, and the wee door opens!

This next project is from Pauline Barnfather. The sweetest 4cm square exploding box!

The box explodes to reveal pretty blushing bride glitter flowers and butterfly along with a happy birthday message. Not easy to photograph...and not served very well by my 'fuzzifoto'. A really cute project in the flesh.

The next WOW! is from Elaine Higham. A super Christmas card.

In black and silver it is quite chic - I really should have removed the protective covering so that you could see just how smart this card is.

The final WOW! for today is from Bridget Metcalf. Shown here in it's packaging, then below with the bag removed. It's a Christmas cup, actually it's large enough to be a mug!

On it's own stand, the inside has chocolate and biscuit goodies! This really is a cup of cheer!

In my next post I will show you the rest of the WOW! swaps. I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I've shared today.

Sunday, 20 November 2016

I recently posted on here with a 70th birthday card, didn't expect to have to make another do soon! I seem to forget that my friends are ageing at the same rate I am.This one was for a lady we've know from way back, I almost forgot to make it!

It's a diagonal fold card using the fab flamingo's again. The only downside with this fold is that it takes a much larger envelope so I had to make my own. Also, there's a high chance of it getting damaged in the mail and the flaps can easily get bent. However, this was hand delivered, so no worries there!

Here it's shown standing and below I've opened it out so that you can see all of the inside.

We received a lovely message from the lady, thanking us and hope to see her soon to take her to afternoon tea.

Another little package to go out in the mail this week, made with the gift bag punch board. Unfortunately, I've mislaid the name of the person who designed the original but I'll update this post when I've searched through all my saved bits and bobs.

The recipient won't be expecting this at all, or the treat inside! Good that she'll be surprised.

Thursday, 17 November 2016

Apart from the gifts we received from our Upline, Natalie, at Centrestage, all her first level downline received a gift.Mine is still wrapped....too pretty to open!

Perhaps it's time to open it!

I can't seem to get a clear photo no matter what I do today! Inside the gift bag is Hello December 2016 Project life card pack and accessory pack - what a super gift!

Thanks Nat!

I was also spoilt with other gifts, something nice wrapped up ready for Christmas from the sweet Jan (Twinks Stamping) and a mysterious bag of craftiness from lovely Cal (Carole Bryson), both of which will remain unopened until Christmas

Am showing the little bag from Jan up close so that hopefully you can see the self embossed pattern on the paper

I was so intent on trying to focus on the paper pattern that the fir cones are out of focus!

Below (out of focus, of course!) you can see the super pressie from my buddy, Kim. She really shouldn't be buying me gifts but always includes me with her team - how kind is that!

I hope you've enjoyed me sharing with you today. I've still got the WOW swaps I received to share. so will bring those to you soon!

Sunday, 13 November 2016

Centrestage takes place the evening before our main onstage event. All demonstrators with the title of silver elite or are invited. Itried to take some photos to share but, as you can see, they're not great!The evening starts with registration (saves queuing at 8.30 the following morning!) where we are given our onstage bag. Here's our CEO, Sara, showing off the bag.

Inside the bag was a stamp set, lanyard and badge, a button badge for prize patrol, wallet, pens and notebook.

We also received our Onstage bag. A nice dapper denim.

The evening starts with some business talk followed by dinner. The tables looked pretty in pink.

Here you can see another couple of pictures showing the gifts I received from my upline,Natalie.

Inside -

The silver metal star is going onto my Christmas tree, the larger wooden star is inscribed with Stampin' Up's statement of the heart and will live in my craft room.

Thursday, 10 November 2016

So, last weekend was our Onstage event in Telford. These events take place every 6 months, every 3rd one is a Live event as this rotates between the US, South Pacific and Europe. Ours being in April 2017.At these events we get to mingle with demonstrators from all over the place, including some who choose to fly to our Telford event from other countries. Prior to the event we generally make swaps to share with these demos. This year I took part in a WOW swap with 9 other demos rather than do general swaps as I knew I would be 'time poor' before the event. I was really stuck for what to make but finally settled on using an idea from 2011 by a demo called Jill Hillard (link below - http://jill031070.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/getting-my-gift-on-day-2-ups-man.html ). Now, I must point out straight away that my logo is a little on the small side, I think Jill's looks a little smarter, But I was happy with the finished project. Here is a photo of my finished Truck..

Now, just indulge me a little in the next two photos. This one is of the Fleet...

...and what about -

Yes, I know, daft, but I just couldn't resist!

So these little trucks open at the tailgate and were filled with a bag of Belgian chocolate gold coins. Bullion, so to speak!

I also decorated little kraft bags to hold my downline gift.

I used the Pretty Pines Thinlet dies along with Always Artichoke, Whisper White and copper card. All held on with a miniature clip.

Another couple of gifts I wrapped in some sparkly speckled tissue and our glitter ribbon. It always adds a lovely touch to any package. One parcel had the sweet sugarplum glitter ribbon from the double pack in the Christmas catalogue, the other had retired pool party from last year, which I'd hung onto tightly as it was such a lovely colour!

Finally, I made some tiny treat boxes for Centestage. This is held the evening before the main event and is for those who have reached Silver Elite title and above. More about that in my next post.

Inside each box is a wee bottle of Dazzling Diamond hand sanitizer. I'd bought it as soon as I saw the name which is the same as one of our products, so it seemed apt. Us crafty people are forever having ink, glue etc., on our hands. This little cleanser has sparkly bits and leaves your hands sparkly clean!

I've more pictures to share with you at the weekend. In the meantime, happy crafting!